I work as a clerical assistant in a pediatric dental office, and I am commonly surprised by the number of children who are scared of the dentist. Many kids think that cleanings will be painful, and they believe they will be scolded for eating sugary foods. Children are also extremely frightful of the noises made by the water spraying tools and the suction devices. As adults, we know that dental cleanings are easy and free of pain. We need to impart this knowledge to our children so they know not to fear the dentist. I have provided blogs that will help you speak with your child about dental care. Good communication, trips to your own dentist, and online videos can assist you. So will good brushing techniques that will make your child proud to see the dentist. Enjoy my articles so you can help your child build oral care confidence.

Teaching Your Children About the Dentist

The 3 Main Types Of Crowns: Which Is Right For You?

5 September 2015

Alfred Kelley

If you have suffered a cracked or chipped tooth or simply have one that has decayed over time, you are at some point going to be seeking advice from your dentist on how to fix the problem. While the cheapest option may be just to yank the tooth out, this could be something you will regret later on, as you only have one set of natural, adult teeth. One cosmetic option that your dentist might suggest instead of extracting the tooth is to go with the installation of dental crown. These crowns can repair or otherwise fix the appearance of your affected tooth. Here are the 3 most common types of crowns for you to consider before heading in to talk to your dentist.

Metal

Metal crowns are the most durable and long-lasting type of crowns that you can go with. These crowns are popular choices because they are less expensive than other options, but there is a downside. The entire crown is full metal, and its color will reflect that. If the crown is going to be installed on a tooth that is visible when you open your mouth, this might actually be a worse option than the current chipped tooth you have right now. In other words, it's going to call attention to the fact that something is wrong, which is the opposite of what you want. Still, if the affected tooth is located towards the sides or back of your mouth where it will not be visible, a metal crown may be a good choice.

Ceramic/Porcelain

Unlike metal, porcelain crowns come close to sharing the appearance of the rest of your teeth. It's the crown that looks the most "natural." This is a good option for someone who needs a crown in a highly visible location, such as the front teeth. Keep in mind, however, that these crowns tend to be more expensive than the metal version and are not quite as durable.

PFM

If you can't quite afford a full porcelain crown but still want a natural appearance, a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown, more commonly abbreviated as "PFM," might be the best solution. This type of crown has a metal base that provides durability but has porcelain layered on top of it, so that it will look more natural when you smile. The downside here is that while the underlying metal will last a long time, the porcelain may degrade and allow the metal to start showing through.

If you are considering cosmetic options to fix an issue with a tooth, there are multiple types of dental crowns that might work well for you. But don't come to any conclusions by yourself-- talk with your dentist like one from Pinon Hills Dental about your options and come to a resolution for your situation together.